I ride Western. I don't show, I just have Western tack. Nobody around here rides English. I have an English saddle that came with a rescue horse from the cities, and it sits in the tack room. I sat in it once. I was like... oh hell no.

I like Western because I am a heavier rider, and the bigger saddle distributes my weight better than a little English saddle. I think it is more comfortable for the horse as well.

I like speed, fast turns, and English to me seems more "Prawncing Ponehs" than anything.

Besides that... cowboys are hot.

I love hearing everyones responses. Im the type of person that likes to know the whys of everything.

My decision (and in truth, I'm still making it) has nothing to do with tack.

It's more about the nature of western riding. I didn't come to riding with any ambitions (delusions) of competing. I simply want to be outdoors. I want the experience to be as earthy and informal as possible.

As I understand it, the heritage of western riding is one of work, transportation, and whatever gets the job done. I feel more at home in that philosophy than I believe I might in the English disciplines which I believe took root in military applications.

Clearly, the military influence on English riding is quite distant now, but it's still a much more rigid, formal manner of riding. Or at least it seems so to me.

That being said, I am intrigued by the idea that an English saddle offers more of a "close-to-the-horse" experience and will likely try it for myself on that merit alone.

Now, weigh all of those comments with the knowledge that I just learned today how to correctly pronounce "latigo." I guess Garth Brooks was right.

I rode trails for many years in a FLAT saddleseat saddle, because I couldn't afford anything else. Doing that taught me you can indeed go up and down steep hills, through water, and take any trail obstacle as long as you're determined enough and your horse is willing, regardless of the tack you use.

'Prancing Ponehs' notwithstanding, English riders are no less tough than their Western counterparts.

I did most of my english lessons in a Smith-Worthington flat, equitation style saddleseat saddle. I still have that bugger and I love it! I showed saddleseat for a few years but never did really develop a taste for it.

I agree that english and western riders are equally tough. Its all about comfort zone. I can run a barrel pattern and work cows but ask me to jump anything higher than 12" and im out.

Clearly, the military influence on English riding is quite distant now, but it's still a much more rigid, formal manner of riding. Or at least it seems so to me.

Yes, English riding is based on military riding, which of course by its very nature had to be more formal and regimented.

The reason we mount from the left instead of the right is because during war time mounted riders used swords and were typically right handed, which meant their sword hilt was carried on their left side. So in order to mount the horse easily and not bang the sword hilt on the animal, mounting was done from the left.

Now we mount from the left because it's tradition, not because a horse cares from which side we mount. In fact, I believe that all horses and riders should be taught to mount from either side.

The riding attire for English riders is also based on military mounted uniforms.

I ride English because we simply have no western riding classes or even tack available around here.
Some may buy some western tack for fun or special events but those are not riding schools, just owners with extra cash on their hands.

....and we do trail riding in english tack when we go to the mountain. Lookie:

However I am anxiously waiting a chance to try out those western saddles. I keep hearing "it's like sitting in a bucket" "it's so comfy"...I really would like to try

The reason we mount from the left instead of the right is because during war time mounted riders used swords and were typically right handed, which meant their sword hilt was carried on their left side. So in order to mount the horse easily and not bang the sword hilt on the animal, mounting was done from the left.

Mark my words.
Someday in this lifespan of mine, I WILL own a horse.
First thing I'll do will be mounting it and dismounting it like a maniac from both sides 20 times / day.
I'll tape or take photos of myself and send them to all my trainers to choke on horror and dismay

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